Submarine vessels



Aug. 26, 1958 M. F. GUNNING SUBMARINE VESSELS Filed May 1o, 195e IN V ENTOR. 'fdm M 1y @WW l www] www nited States Patent Olihce j asumoPatented Aug. 26, 1958 2,848,970 S UBMAR1NE VESSELS Maximilian FrederickGunning, Steep, Peterseld, England Application May 10, 1956, Serial No.584,143

Claims priority, application Great Britain May 23, 1955 Claims. (Cl.114-17) This invention relates to submarine vessels and is concernedwith the arrangement therein of the apparatus by which torpedos can bedischarged from torpedo tubes.

In a well known type of apparatus for discharging a torpedo from atorpedo tube, the torpedo is discharged by forcing a large quantity ofwater into the inner end of the tube behind the torpedo and thusejecting the torpedo from the tube, the apparatus for delivering theejection water to the appropriate tube or tubes usually being in theform of a large cylinder (hereinafter called the water cylinder)containing a piston (herein called the water-piston) which is arrangedto be operated so as to eject water from the cylinder into theappropriate tube or tubes by a fluid operated piston having the samestroke as the water piston but a smaller diameter and being arranged inan operating fluid cylinder. In such arrangements when a torpedo is tobe ejected, operating iluid, which may be oil delivered by air pressuredelivered from one or more compressed air containers (hereinafterreferred to as air bottles) or may be air, delivered direct from one ormore air` bottles is delivered to the operating iluid cylinder.

The invention is concerned with a submarine vessel incorporatingapparatus of the above general type for discharging one or more torpedosfrom torpedo tubes irrespective of the exact form of the apparatus fordelivering operating fluid under pressure to the operating iluidcylinder and irrespective of whether the operating iiuid is oil or otherliquid or a gaseous iluid.

When employing such torpedo launching apparatus it is difficult to fitthe cylinders of the launching apparatus within the pressure hull of asubmarine while moreover in most submarines the space between the outershell and the inner pressure-resisting hull at the forward and afterends of the vessel, where torpedo tubes are generally required, isusually so small that it cannot accommodate the large water cylinders.It is of advantage to use cylinders of large diameter and short strokebecause with these, for agiven speed of torpedo the piston speed isrelatively small and this facilitates the checking of the piston at theend of its stroke.

A submarine vessel according to the present invention comprises a hullof the kind including three pressure resisting compartments ofapproximately circular cross section, namely an upper compartment andtwo lower compartments which lie below and one on each side of the uppercompartment, the ends of the upper compartment extending beyond the endsof the lower compartments and with a casing enclosing the spaces betweenthe compartments, a water cylinder lying beyond an end of at least oneof the lower compartments, a piston within the water cylinder connectedto a iluid operated piston arranged within an operating fluid cylinderdisposed within the adjacent end of such lower compartment, and waterdelivery ducting by which water can be delivered from the outer end ofthe water cylinder to the inner end of one or more torpedo tubes lyingpartially at least within the adjacent end `of the upper compartment.

Conveniently the delivery ducting includes a main duct or chamber oflarge cross-sectional area extending partially around the adjacent endof the upper compartment and from which a delivery passage leads to theinner end of each of one or more torpedo tubes in the upper compartment,the main duct or chamber thus being sickle-shaped or horse-shoe shaped.It will be understood that the sickle shaped or horseshoe shaped ductwill communicate with the adjacent end of the adjacent water cylinder orcylinders through ducting or ports also of large cross-sectional areaand with the inner ends of the adjacent torpedo tube or tubes throughducts of appropriate cross section, controlled by valves which can beselectively opened and closed. The Valves in question are preferably oftwo diierent kinds. Thus, one set of valves separates two or moretorpedo tubes from each half of the horseshoe-shaped tank so that byopening one or other of these valves a torpedo can be discharged fromone or other of the two tubes, while the other valves are of thenon-return type and are conveniently tted either in the outer wall ofthe horseshoe-shaped tank or in the piston itself or in both and serveto allow on the one hand the tank to remain iilled when the piston isdrawn back into its tiring position and on the other hand to allow waterwhich has been accelerated by the piston when a torpedo is red to ow infrom the open sea into the tank and out by way of the torpedo tube sothat drag on the torpedo when leaving the tube is prevented.

One construction according to the invention is illustrated somewhatdiagrammatically in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure l is a diagrammatic cross-section through part of a submarinehull embodying the invention, and is taken on line I-I of Fig. 2.

Figure 2 is a diagrammatic sectional side elevation of an end portion ofthe submarine hull to which the invention is applied, taken on the lineIl-Il of Figure l.

In the construction shown the submarine hull comprises an upperpressure-resisting compartment l and two lower .pressure-resistingcompartments 2 and 3 having tapering ends as shown at 4 in Figure 2, thethree pressure-resisting compartments being enclosed in the usual outershell 5.

Mounted within the end portion of the upper compartment 1 are fourtorpedo tubes 6, 7, 8 and 9 the outer ends of which are closed by theusual doors indicated at 10, while apertures to permit the exit of thetorpedos through the shell 5 are provided in known manner though notshown. The inner ends of the torpedo tubes, which Vare provided with theusual breeches or doors l1 cornmunicate through passages l2, closed byvalves 13, with a two-part horseshoe-shaped tank 15, the two parts 14,14a being divided from one another by a wall 16. Communicating with eachof the compartments 14, 14a of the horseshoe-shaped tank is the outerend of a water cylinder 17 in which isarranged to operate a piston 18(referred to herein as the water piston) provided with non-return valves19 which permit water to ow from the interior of the shell 5 into theinner end of the cylinder 17 but not in the other direction. In theshell S are openings 23, through which the water from outside can enterinto the interior of the shell.

Each of the pistons 13 is arranged to be operated by a piston rod 20passing through a guide 21 in the adjacent end 4 of one of the lowercompartments 2 and 3 into an operating ilnid cylinder 22 lying withinthe appropriate lower compartment. The piston 23 is arranged to be movedfrom one end to the other of its cylinder when required by air admittedfrom an air bottle 24 under the control of valves 25, 26 each of whichhas two positions, in lone of which it admits air to the appro- 3 priateend of the, cylinder, 22 while in the other it permits air to escapefrom the adjacent end of the cylinder 22. Each of the compartments ofthe horseshoe-shaped tank 14, is.provided;;with a non-returnvalveZ?arranged to permit waterv tofiow into but not out of the compartment.

The wall of tank 15 may coincide with and form part of the outer shell5.

The operation is as follows;

When a torpedo is to bev launched the door 10 and valve 13 associatedwith the appropriate torpedo tube are opened. Air is then admitted tothe appropriate cylinder 22 by opening the appropriate valve 25 to admitair from the air bottle 24 and at the same time permittingnthe escape ofair through the associated valve 26 so that the piston 23 is forcedrapidly to the 'right and thus forces the piston 18 in the samedirection, whereby water is delivered to the appropriate compartment ofthe horseshoe-shaped tank 14, 15, passes through the previously openedvalve 13, and ejects the torpedo.

When the torpedo has been ejected the momentum of the water stillflowing through the torpedo tube causes water to be drawn in through theappropriate valve 27 from the interior of the shell 5, thus preventingdrag on the torpedo as it leaves the tube, reducing water shock andfacilitating the Achecking of the movement of the piston 18 at the endof its travel.

The piston 18 is then returned to its initial position by admitting airfrom the air bottle 24 to the appropriate end of the cylinder 22 throughthe valve 26, while the valve 25 is opened to permit escape of air fromthe opposite end of the cylinder 22.

I claim:

l. InV a submarine vessel, in combination, a rst pressure-resistantcompartment, at least one torpedo tube disposed in said firstcompartment for mounting a torpedo therein, a tank disposedcircumferentially around at least a portion of said first compartmentand normally filled with water when the submarine is operative afloat,waterdelivery duct means connecting the tank and the torpedo tube, meansfor selectively establishing communication between the tank and the tubewhen a torpedo is to be discharged from the tube, a cylinder having oneend communicating with said tank, a -pistonreciprocable in saidcylinder, at least a second pressure-resistant compartment spacedradially from said rst pressure-resistant compartment, means in saidsecond pressure-resistant compartment arranged for selectively,cyclically reciprocating the piston between a first position and aVsecond position in a direction for reducing the volume in said tank,whereby when said duct means are in communication with said tank andsaid piston is reciprocated in said volume-reducing direction water isdischarged from the tank to the torpedo tube for discharging a torpedofrom said tube.

2. In a submarine vessel, in combination, a first pressure-resistantcompartment, at least one torpedo tube disposed in said firstcompartment for mounting a torpedo therein, a tank disposedcircnmferentially around at least a portion of said first compartmentand normally filled with water when the submarine is Ioperative afloat,waterdelivery duct means connecting the tank and the torpedo tube, meansfor selectively establishing communication between the tank and the tubewhen a torpedo is to be discharged from the tube, a cylinder having oneend open communicating with said tank, a piston reciprocable in saidcylinder, at least a second pressure-resistant compartment spacedradially from said first pressure-resistant compartment, means in saidsecond pressure-resistant compartment arranged for selectively,cyclically reciprocating the piston between a first position and asecond position in a direction for reducing the volume in said tank,whereby when said duct means are in communication with said tank andsaid piston is reciprocated in said volume-reducing, .direction wateris: dischargedl from 4 hettanktto lthe,.torpedo tube ,for discharging atorpedo from said tube, said piston having a substantially largediameter thereby to move a large volume of water when reciprocated onlya short distance.

3. In a submarine vessel having a pressure hull provided with a first,second, and a third pressure-resistant compartments, said second andthird pressure-resistant compartments being disposed in spaced.positions radially of said vfirst pressure-resistant compartment, aplurality of spaced groups of torpedo tubes in said first compartmentadapted for mounting torpedos therein, a tank divided into twocompartments disposed circumferentially around at least a portion ofsaid first compartment and normally filled with water when the submarineis operative afioat, water-delivery duct, means connecting the torpedotubes of each group individually to one of said tank compartments, meansfor selectively establishing communication between individual tubes andits associated compartment of said tank, two separate cylinders eachassociated with one of said tank compartments and having one end openand in communication with its associated compartment, two pistons oneeach reciprocable inA each of said cylinders, each of said pistons beingmovable between a first position and a second position in a directionfor reducing the volume in its associated tank compartment, means insaid second pressure-resistant compartments operably connected to one ofsaid pistons and arranged for selectively, cyclically reciprocating thepiston between said first and second positions, means in said thirdpressure-resistant compartment operably connected to the second of saidtwo pistons and arranged for selectively cyclically reciprocating saidother piston between said first and second positions, whereby when atorpedo tube in said groups is placed in communication with anassociated compartment of said tank andv a corresponding Vpiston isreciprocated betweenY said first and second positions water isdischarged from the last mentioned compartment to the torpedo tube incommunication therewith for discharging a torpedo from said tube.

4. In a submarine vessel according to claim 3, in which said firstpressure-resistant compartment forms the inner walls of said tank.

5. In a submarine vessel according to claim 4, in which said tank isdivided along a plane corresponding substantially with a planepassingthrough the longitudinal axis of the first pressure-resistantcompartment.

6. In asubmarine vessel according toV claim 3, in which said second andthird pressure-resistant compartments are disposed substantiallysymmetrically on opposite sides of a plane corresponding, substantially,with the longitudinal axis of said first pressure-resistant compartment.

7. In a submarine vessel according to. claim 3, in which said cylindersare disposed substantially symmetrically on vopposite sides .ofl a planecorresponding substantially with the longitudinal laxis of said firstpressureresistantcompartment. i

8. In a submarine vessel` according to claim 3, in which said twocylindersare pistons therein have a substantially larger diameter thansaid torpedo tubes.

9. In a submarine vessel havingy a pressure hull provided with a first,second` anda third pressure-resistant compartments, said second andthird pressureresistant compartments being disposednin spaced positionsradially of said first pressure-resistantcompartment, a plurality ofspaced groups of torpedo tubes in said first compartment adaptedformounting torpedos therein, a tank divided into two compartmentsdisposed circumferentially around at least a portion of said firstcompartment and normally filled with water when thesubmarine isoperative afloat, Water-delivery duct means connecting thetorpedoA tubesof each group individually to one of said tank compartments, means forselectively establishing communication betweenindividual tubesanditsassociated compartment of said tank, two separate cylinders eachassociated with one of said tank compartments and having one end openand in communication with its associated compartment, two pistons oneeach reciprocable in each of said cylinders, each of said pistons beingmovable between a rst position and a second position in a direction forreducing the volume in its associated tank compartment, means in saidsecond pressure-resistant compartments operably connected to one of saidpistons and arranged for selectively, cyclically reciprocating thepiston between said iirst and second positions, means in said thirdpressure-resistant compartment operably connected to the second of saidtwo pistons and arranged for selectively cyclically reciprocating saidother piston between said first and second positions, whereby when atorpedo tube in said groups is placed in communication with anassociated compartment of said tank and 21 corresponding piston isreciprocated between said first and second positions water is dischargedfrom the last mentioned compartment to the torpedo tube in communicationtherewith for discharging a torpedo from said tube, and one-way valvemeans in each of said tank compartments adapted to allow a tankcompartment to normally communicate with the sea and to close when thepiston associated with a given tank compartment is reciprocated in saidvolume-reducing direction.

10. In a submarine vessel having a pressure hull provided with a rst,second and a third pressure-resistant compartments, said second andthird pressure-resistant compartments being disposed in symmetricallyspaced positions radially of said first pressure-resistant compartmentand closer to amidships than said first compartment, a plurality ofspaced groups of torpedo tubes in said first compartment adapted formounting torpedos therein, a tank divided into two compartments disposedcircumferentially around at least a portion of said rst compartment andnormally lled with water when the submarine is operative afloat,water-delivery duct means connecting the torpedo tubes of each groupindividually to one of said tank compartments, means for selectivelyestablishing communication between individual tubes and its associatedcompartment of said tank, two separate cylinders each associated withone of said tank compartments and having one end open and incommunication with its associated compartment being disposed extendingin a direction toward said first and second pressure-resistantcompartments, two pistons one each reciprocable in each of saidcylinders, each of said pistons being movable between a first positionand a second position in a direction for reducing the volume in itsassociated tank compartment, means in said second pressure-resistantcompartments operably connected to one of said pistons and arranged forselectively, cyclically reciprocating the piston between said rst andsecond positions, means in said third pressure-resistant compartmentoperably connected to the second of said two pistons and arranged forselectively cyclically reciprocating said other piston between saidfirst and second positions, whereby when a torpedo tube in said groupsis placed in communication with an associated compartment of said tankand a corresponding piston is reciprocated between said first and secondpositions water is discharged from the last mentioned compartment to thetorpedo tube in communication therewith for discharging a torpedo fromsaid tube, and said two cylinders and pistons having a diametersubstantially larger than the diameter of said torpedo tubes, wherebysaid pistons need be reciprocated only a short-stroke for discharging atorpedo from a tube.

Reterences Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 709,335Lake Sept. 16, 1902 946,944 Maxim Ian. 18, 1910 1,370,467 McMahon Mar.1, 1921 2,499,563 Bill Mar. 7, 1950 2,526,956 Kugler Oct. 24, 1950UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No2,8489'70 August 26p 1958 Maximiliaan Frederik Gunning It is herebj)Tcertified that error appears in the above numbered patent requiringcorrection and that the' said Letters Patent Should read as correctedbelow,

In the grant, lines l and l2, and in the heading to the printedspecification, name of inventor, for "Maximilian Frederick Gunning", ineach occurrence, read Maximiliaen Frederik Gunning Signed and sealedthis 28th day oi' October l958 (SEAL) Attest:

KARL Ha. AXLINE Attesting Officer' ROBERT c.` wAT Conmissioner of Pa1

